James Avedzi

Deputy Minority Leader of Parliament James Klutse Avedzi has justified the decision of the minority  to label the new Ayawaso West-Wuogon Member of Parliament ‘bloody widow’.

The Minority has come under intense public criticism after they showed placards with the inscription as they walked out during her swearing in by the first deputy Speaker of Parliament.

Deputy Majority leader Adwoa Safo has described the action as unfortunate.

“We had a process which the minority had challenges with. The minority walking out of parliament on certain principles was not a problem at all. Following the walk-out with a placard with the inscription ‘Bloody Widow’ was so sad I am sure Ghanaians who saw what happened on the floor of Parliament and believe in women will be very disappointed in our Honourable members on the other side.

“The minority reacted in an inhumane and disrespectful manner. On the floor of parliament yesterday, I was so so saddened because the dignity of every woman in Ghana was attacked,” she told Morning Starr host Francis Abban Wednesday.

However, Mr. Avedzi said the minority does not regret the use of the label.

“We did not take part in the swearing in because we had issues with the election processes. Lydia is a product of a bloody process and that is the interpretation of what we had on the placards. Nobody should read any other meaning into the inscription. The election of Madam Alhassan and all that characterized it, (the shedding of blood) is what is being described as Bloody Widow,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) David Asante Apeatu has expanded the committee tasked to investigate the violence that marred the Ayawaso West Wuogon by election to cover the professional as well as the criminal conduct of those involved in the incident.

Some heavily-armed National Security operatives shot and wounded supporters of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) at the private residence of the NDC’s candidate about an hour into the by-election on Thursday, 31 January 2019.

Some civilians were also beaten up while a member of parliament, Sam George was slapped in the melee in the full glare of some police officers.

Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM